Improvement in the propulsion of vessels



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' RICHARD 'KIRSGH, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROPULSION OF VESSELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 155,192, dated September 22, 11574; application filed October 30, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD Krnscn, of Hoboken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Paddle-Wheels, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of my invention relates to an improved paddle wheel or wheels and their attachments, to be attached toa canal-boat or the like in such a manner as to utilize a large proportion of the propelling-power; and it consists in iucasing the wheels in casings which partially inclose the same, allowing the exposed paddles to operate against the water in a channel situated in the center of the boat.

The paddle-wheels are so placed that the exposed paddles approach very near to each other, and the wheels revolve in diiferent directions. The whole is situated in a .frame which is constructed and adapted to be attached to and removed from a boat for repairs, &c.

In the drawings, Figure l is a plan view of the bottom of the boat, showing the relative position of the wheels. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the stern of the boat. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the wheel and its surroundings. Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the wheel-case. Fig. 6 is a top View of the same; and Fig. 7 is a horizontal section through the wheel, &c.

The two wheels, partly incased, are placed horizontally under the quarters in such a manner that an imaginary line through their axis would be at right angles with the longitudinal center of the boat.

Referring to the drawings, m is a channel formed in the bottom of the boat, commencing some distance in front of the wheels, and becoming deeper as it approaches the stern. This channel gives the water free access to the wheels, and in this channel theexposed paddles operate. The cylinder partially incases the wheel, the cut-01f portion being the channel, and from this portion the paddles project. 1 to 12 are the paddles, l, 2, 3, and 4 in the drawing being exposed, and operating against the water in the channel. The wheel is of such size that it closely fills the casing 0 cl 0, but allows the free revolution of the same within the casin g.

It will thus be seen that the blade or paddle 1, having displaced the water in front of it, the space inside the case is filled up again by water entering the other end of the case through the pressure of the atmosphere, and this water, flowing at the same rate of speed, and in the same direction in which the wheels revolve, will permit the paddles which are within the tube or cylinder to move without resistance. The wheels are suitably journaled in a frame, and are situated one on either side of the channel, and their peripheries approach very closely to each other in the channel.

To allow the wheels to be removed for re pairs, 850., I surround the cases with a strong band or frame, h, having a projection, l, which is constructed and adapted to fit and rest in a shoe, k, which'is permanently secured to the bottom of the boat. The other end of the frame is held in position by a Vertical continuation, 0, which runs up and is secured to the stem of the boat by bolts, 8w. On this portion 0 I place eyes, into which the pintles of the rudder q are placed, if desired. The bottom bar of this frame h has an opening, through which the step 8 projects into the wheel-case. The step is held in a plate, t, attached to the outside of the frame. The standard c, surrounding and holding the journal w of the wheel-shaft y, is rigidly united with the top of the frame, and an opening is left in the top of the fram'e'for the admission of the wheelshaft into the case or cylinder.

Should it become necessary to repair the wheels it is only necessary to remove the shaft 3 from the nave n and from the journal w, unloose the bar 0, and force the entire frame, &e., backward, when the projection I will leave the shoe is, and the wheel-case will drop, and may be hoisted on board at will.

It will be seen that, by raising the standard y, the wheel is immediately out of gear and inoperative, and either of them may be raised at will, or both. i

g is an inclosure to prevent the wa er from running into the boat, the upper extremity thereof being above the water-line.

I am aware that placing paddle-wheels, partially incased, across the stern of a boat, broadly, is not new; also, that so constructing a paddle-wheel as that it may be removed at will is not new, broadly, and such I do not 2. The combination of the frame it 0,]1aving claim; but projection l, and the shoe is, with the casing c What I do claim isd e, as shown and specified. 1. The partially-incased wheel, having nave n and square aperture n, constructed as de- RICHARD KIRSOH. scribed, and serving relatively to the channel m, in combination with the shaft y, for throw- WVitnesses: in g the wheel out of gear at will as shown and CHARLES HEIsER,

specified. J OHN K0013. 

